On Fridays, we like to share writing tips and tricks with our readers. We hope this section will encourage and inspire you to continually improve as a writer.

Writing Tip – Check Your Style

Grammar rules in one style may be incorrect in another. In most popular writing styles for American English, a comma is placed after each item in a series: “She picked daisies, lilies, and daffodils for her mother.” But in AP style, for example, commas are omitted before the last words in a simple series: “She picked daisies, lilies and daffodils for her mother.” Be sure to check the grammar rules for the style you are writing in to make sure that you are following your style’s rules.

Writing Prompt – Friendship

It is often said that our friends are the family we choose. We feel comfortable when we are with our friends, and we would do just about anything to cheer them up if they are having a bad day. Oftentimes, we know our friends just about as well as we know ourselves. Use one of your close friendships and a special memory as inspiration for a short story. Maybe it is that friend who has been there for you your entire life, or maybe it was a friend who came into your life unexpectedly. Either way, your friends provide you with great story material – use them to your advantage!